Humayun’s Tomb

Located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, Humanyun’s tomb is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. He passed away in 1556 and his wife Hamida Banu Begam supervised the construction of his tomb from the year 1562. This spectacular piece of architecture took almost 9 years to complete. Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor to rule India, after his father, Babur being the first.

The architect of the project, Mirak Mirza Ghiyuath, was Persian and hence the architecture of the tomb has a Persian influence. It is not only the first garden-tomb of its kind in India but is also the first classic example of Mughal architecture.

The tomb was constructed at a cost of 1.5 million rupees (15 lakh). The tomb is situated at the banks of Yamuna River. It was chosen because of its proximity to Nizamuddin Dargah which is the mausoleum of the famous Sufi saint of Delhi. Humayun’s tomb is also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale.

Along with the tomb of Humayum the compound also has the tomb of his wife, Hamida Begum and also of Dara Shikoh, son of the late emperor Shah Jahan. It is also the burial ground for many other Mughals. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. It also boasts the Charbagh gardens, a typical Persian garden which was never seen before in India.

The mausoleum is a 140 feet high structure with a central dome. The tomb itself stands on a platform and in the centre of a square garden which is divided into four main parterres by ramps, in the center of which ran shallow water-channels. They were filled with water to keep the gardens green and natural at all time. The main gateway of Humayun’s tomb consists of a large square enclosure and Humayun’s tomb can be seen at the center.

Built over acres of lush green land and surrounded by fountains this complex is home to a well manicured garden, a beautiful mosque and several other tombs. It represents Mughal architecture at its best.

Classical and an excellent piece of Mughal architecture!!!!
That was the golden era of Mughal architecture that produced master pieces like the Jama Masjid, the Lal Quila and the wonderful Taj Mahal. We are proud of our rich heritage.

IT’S REAL CONDITION IS NOT ALIKE , DEPICTED IN PICTURE SLIDES. IT IS UNFORTUNATE OF OUR COUNTRY -CONCERNED DEPARTMENT , THAT IF MAY NOT CONSTRUCT NEW “HISTORICAL MONUMENTS” ; AT LEAST MUST MAY TAKE CARE OF OLD MOST ONES……………..

This tomb is marvellous but was not the same before.
It was in 2009 when I visited the tomb and I have known that it’s the AGAKHAN TRUST FOR CULTURE
which is responsible for it’s Tourist Attraction and beauty today

this trust is not an indian trust but still helps the govt. Since last 10 yrs and work is still
going on

This masterful historical building is not only a Mogul articulation of a gone by history, it is part of man’s strive to build one stone of glory to all HUMANITY located in the heart of India the fascinated rich triangle – store of all creeds and philosophies of the world (not to forget its fabulous riches and resources).

On 27 January 1556, Humayun, with his arms full of books, was descending the staircase from his library when the muezzin announced the Adhan (the call to prayer). It was his habit, wherever he heard the summons, to bow his knee in holy reverence. Kneeling, he caught his foot in his robe, tumbled down several steps and hit his temple on a rugged stone edge. He died three days later, and was succeeded by the 13-year old Akbar.

Would that if the people in Pakistan loving heritage of Moslems’ era in India have the facility of tourist visa to visit such historical places there…There are great historical monuments to visit and see!!!

It is funny that all the architecture of India that is claimed to be Moghul ie Taj, Red Fort, this tomb and others were actually Rajasthani style architecture proven in Amer, Jaisalmer, Mehranggh Forts which were built just as the Qu’ran was written.

even the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan shows so much architecture that is originally Rajasthani blueprint, and yet none of these architecture types exist in Arab world, or to the exact note they do in India. It is proven factually 100 reasons Taj is Hindu temple, as was Red Fort. This was Hindu workmanship and Hindu architecture.

I too thank you for delivering such wonderful pictures of our great heritage structures that we should be proud of. These Mysore Maharajas and other Hindu Kings were all fools. They built dams, tanks, anicuts, highways and bridges which are older than these Moghul monuments and are still functioning and giving us food. Carrying water for irrigation, roads for communication, still functioning aqueducts (oldest in the world)and such other functional structures which removed poverty and kept the people well fed. We are not made aware that those rulers ever existed. Their names are not recorded. If they had only saved all that money and used it for building beautiful palaces, extensive orchards and flower gardens & tombs for all their wives while their citizens starved,we would have hailed them as our greatest heritage. Please show me one single Irrigation canal built by any Moslem Emperor in those thousand years. Poor white men; no body thanks them for all the Punjab and Roorkee Irrigation and all the good they did in just one Hundred years. MSR

Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page.Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.